Time-Traveler Sharing Platform

Chapter 169: Formless as an Elephant The Star-Plucking Tower’s branch office in the Eastern Origin Kingdom has five Honorary Members: four Great Warriors and one Great Spirit Master. Being a venerable of the Star-Plucking Tower—or indeed, of any major trading house—is a job where one does little work for a lot of pay. Employment contracts are typically signed for three, five, or ten years, and for the vast majority of that time, the only duty required of them is to maintain a presence. Generally speaking, in a major trading house like this, there are rarely any major incidents throughout the year. Matters that can be resolved with spirit stones will never require a venerable to intervene. If a venerable needs to step in even once a year, it’s a sign that the trading house is on the verge of collapse. Occasionally, escorting important cargo might yield some extra pay. Opportunities for actual combat are extremely rare; at most, they might show up to provide a presence and let the merchant house’s staff handle the negotiations. Being invited by Bei Sheng to travel south today, for Xiang Wuxing, this counts as a private job. Although Bei Sheng is an inspector for the Star-Plucking Tower, and although the situation he described is related to the Star-Plucking Tower, for a minor matter like this, Xiang Wuxing wouldn’t be persuaded to get involved if it were strictly official business. Xiang Wuxing was a burly man, yet he possessed a strikingly handsome face—one so striking, in fact, that it was easy to overlook his imposing build. Of course, the pair of double-bladed long curved hooks strapped to his back were even more conspicuous. “Is this really the place?” After traveling south to Zhuri City, Xiang Wuxing declined the personal hospitality of the Lord of Zhuri and instead headed straight to Suiyuan with Bei Sheng. This move earned Bei Sheng plenty of face. “Yes, this is the place.” Bei Sheng nodded, then offered a “friendly” warning: “This garden is protected by a spiritual formation. Brother Xiang, don’t let your guard down.” “The scenery isn’t half bad. As for this spiritual formation, even if it’s here, I can break through it single-handedly.” Xiang Wuxing didn’t give the spirit formation in this remote backwater a second thought. Without waiting for Bei Sheng to say another word, he stepped off the small cloud vessel. As he touched the ground, there was a thunderous crash, and a large section of the earth sank beneath him. With another step, he found himself a dozen meters from the gates of Suiyuan. He stamped his foot, and the earth cracked open, forming a deep fissure that snaked straight toward the main gate. Boom! Just as the trench was less than a meter from the gate, a deafening roar erupted. A green light barrier suddenly appeared at the entrance, halting the trench’s advance. “You’ve got some skills after all. No wonder you dared to bar Brother Beisheng from the gate.” Xiang Wuxing chuckled. He remained polite toward Bei Sheng—not only because Bei Sheng had powerful backers within the Star-Plucking Tower, but also because Bei Sheng frequently sent him valuable gifts, providing a significant source of extra income. As a patron, he naturally had to give him full face; it wouldn’t do to have Bei Sheng thrown out. Just as Xiang Wuxing was about to take another step forward, the gate to Suiyuan opened, and a woman emerged—none other than Mi He. “What brings you here, sirs?” Mi He clearly knew in advance that two unwelcome guests had arrived at the door and had also noticed the deep trench in front of the entrance, yet her expression remained relatively composed. Xiang Wuxing smiled—a strikingly handsome smile, like a ray of sunlight—though that sunlight was made somewhat blinding by the double-edged long curved hooks at his back. “The mistress of this garden certainly has composure; she greets us just as she would any ordinary visitor.” Xiang Wuxing exchanged a light-hearted remark with Beisheng, then turned to Mihe and said with a smile, “We have come here having heard of the fine cuisine at Suiyuan.” Mi He stepped aside and said, “Oh, then please, come in, sirs.” “You’re quite bold.” Xiang Wuxing quipped again, then strode confidently through the gate, showing not the slightest concern for any ambushes or dangers within. Seeing this, Bei Sheng naturally followed suit. Once inside the courtyard, Mi He invited the two to sit at a stone bench and table, then asked with a smile, “When would the two of you like to dine?” Xiang Wuxing chuckled, “I’d like to dine right now.” Mi He kept her distance and said, “Gentlemen, reservations at this establishment must be made at least one day in advance.” “So that means we can’t eat today, right?” Xiang Wuxing kept his smile. “That’s correct.” Just then, a man emerged from the dark path and motioned for Mihe to step aside. The man was, of course, Bai Qi, and he had come out alone. Bei Sheng and his assistant had arrived unexpectedly. Lao Hei hadn’t returned from Tianjin Mountain yet, and Rainbow shouldn’t make an appearance. Dong Qingguo was present, but facing an opponent confirmed to be at the Great Warrior level, it was best for a Spirit Master like Dong Qingguo not to confront him directly. Of course, strictly speaking, Bai Qi wasn’t alone either. He began, “That day, your friend was just as unreasonable, which is why this shop threw him out. Do you think we were in the right?” Xiang Wuxing fell silent for a moment, seemingly processing the words, then asked coldly, “Are you implying that if I were to act unreasonably, you’d be prepared to throw me out as well?” Bai Qi retorted, “Do you think it was justified for this shop to throw you out?” Xiang Wuxing fell silent once more. Beside him, Bei Sheng cursed him under his breath, then said to Xiang Wuxing in a grave tone, “Brother Xiang, he’s humiliating you!” Xiang Wuxing snapped out of it, flying into a rage. He drew the double-bladed long curved hooks from his back, stood up abruptly, and said coldly, “I’m about to eat now. Let’s see who dares to stop me!”